Refuse incinerating apparatus

ABSTRACT

Incinerating apparatus for a mixture of combustible and noncombustible waste material consisting of a furnace and perforated cylindrical grating rotatably mounted within the furnace. The grating includes a closure at one end and a rigid frame surrounding its cylindrical and end walls. The frame includes circular ribs which are supported on rollers within the furnace and the grating is rotated by a shaft connected to the frame at the closed end thereof and projects through a furnace wall. An opening is formed in the bottom of the furnace leading into a hopper, for ash residue from which the ash may be removed by suction.

United States Patent Bavers Mar. 7, 1972 [54] REFUSE INCINERATING APPARATUS 1211 Appl. No: 41,379

Bonfield ..l l0/l4 X Schneider ..l 10/ l 4 Primary Examiner-Kenneth W. Sprague Att0meyVictor M. Helfand [5 7] ABSTRACT lncinerating apparatus for a mixture of combustible and noncombustible waste material consisting of a furnace and perforated cylindrical grating rotatably mounted within the furnace. The grating includes a closure at one end and a rigid frame surrounding its cylindrical and end walls. The frame includes circular ribs which are supported on rollers within the furnace and the grating is rotated by a Shaft connected to the frame at the closed end thereof and projects through a furnace wall. An opening is formed in the bottom of the furnace leading into a hopper, for ash residue from which the ash may be removed by suction.

16 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures REFUSE INCINERATING APPARATUS The present invention relates to incinerator apparatus and, more particularly, to incinerator apparatus for the burning of mixed refuse containing both combustible and noncombustible waste materials as, for instance, refuse from residential places or from industrial places that produce a mixture of both types of waste material.

With incinerators of the character described, of the prior art, used for the incineration of mixed combustible and noncombustible waste material, the residues of the materials, both of which may be of value, could not be conveniently or economically separated from one another. Also, the residual products of incineration are difficult and messy to handle, with the noncombustible waste being frequently contaminated by the ash of the combustible material.

The present invention, therefore, is directed to a provision of incinerators, of the character described, in which the residues or ashes of the combustible waste material, are automatically separated from the noncombustible waste, in the course ofincineration.

The present invention is also directed to the provision of incinerators, of the character described, in which the residue or ash of the combustible portion of the incinerated refuse, may be cleanly, neatly and automatically removed from the incinerator, to a storage bin or other location, without creating any dust or otherwise messing up the surrounding area.

The present invention is additionally directed to the provision of incinerators, of the character described, in which the noncombustible residue of the refuse remains substantially clean and free of contaminating ash and is in advantageous condition for salvage.

The present invention is further directed to the provision of incinerators, of the character described, which are of relatively simple construction; which speed the incineration process; which provide for more thorough incineration of the combustible waste material; and which are simple, easy and economical to install and to operate.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the incinerators of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, from the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and from the description following. it is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, and without intent of limiting the invention to the specific details therein shown.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a more or less diagrammatic, longitudinal, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of an incinerator apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of the supporting and guiding means for the rotating cylindrical grating of the apparatus.

Generally stated, the present invention resides in the provision of an incinerator in which incineration takes place in a rotating tubular or drum-shaped grating formed of closemeshed metallic screen material through which the fine ash residue of combustible waste may drop and fall into a well or channel from which it may be automatically withdrawn by suction, as by an exhaust fan blower, into a storage bin; while the noncombustible residue may remain within the drum to be separately removed therefrom.

Referring in greater detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the incinerator may comprise an oven or furnace of preferably cylindrical shape, generally designated as 10, which is disposed with its longitudinal axis in a horizontal position and whose cylindrical wall, 12, and rear wall, 14, may be formed by or lined with refractory material, in a manner which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The furnace may be supported in elevated position above a surface, as by a supporting frame such as illustrated, formed of vertical and horizontal beams, 16 and 18, respectively. The furnace 10 may be completely open at its front end and provided with a main closure door 20, likewise formed or lined with refractory material, and hinged on the furnace in any suitable manner. Furnace 10 may be provided with a top opening, 22, connecting to a flue or Smokestack, 24, and is providedwith a bottom opening, 26, leading to a downwardly and rearwardly sloping channel or chute, 28, Rear wall 14 is formed with a central opening, 30, in which is journaled a horizontally disposed driving shaft, 32, of a motor, 34, mounted on shelf, 36, which may be supported on the exterior of the rear wall 14 of the furnace.

The end of driving shaft 32 mounts, for rotation therewith within the furnace 10, a perforated tubular or drum-shaped, grating generally designated as 40, within which the refuse is to be disposed during incineration. Grating 40 is preferably of cylindrical shape and is likewise disposed with its longitudinal axis in horizontal position. It preferably comprises a perforated cylindrical wall 42 closed at one end by a perforated rear wall, 44, and is open at its other or front end. Perforated walls 42 and 44 are preferably formed of a noncorrosive, finemeshed metal material, as of stainless steel. Wall 42 is mounted on a wire frame formed by a plurality of circular ribs including a rear rib, 46, a front rib, 43, and one or more intermediate ribs, 50. Ribs 46, 48 and 50 are connected by a plurality, such as 6, of longitudinal ribs, 52, whose rear ends are joined by the crossing diametrically disposed ribs, 54, that form a spider against which rear cage wall 44 is held. A hub, 56, formed at the crossing of the ribs 54 serves to hold a sleeve, 58, by which cage 40 is held on driving shaft 32.

Grating 40 is steadied in place while it is rotating by means of a pair of spaced rear roller, 60, mounted on upright posts, 62, against which the flat peripheral side of rear circular rib 46 is supported. The front end of cage 40 is supported by a similar pair of rollers, 64, mounted between posts, 66, against which the outer circular rib 48, is rested by its flat peripheral surface. in order to prevent the longitudinal displacement of grating 40, the front rollers 64 are provided with flanges, 68, which engage against the sides of the outer circular rib 48 to retain and guide said rib between them and prevent its longitudinal displacement.

Furnace door 20 is provided with a preferably rectangular, central, refuse admitting opening, 70, provided with a closure 72, which is suitably hinged on door 20.

The end of channel or chute 28 is connected by a tube, 74, to an exhaust blower '76 having an outlet opening 78, which may be connected to a bin or other storage facility (not shown) for the fine ash exhausted from channel 28.

For operation, refuse or waste material is introduced into the furnace 10 through the opening 70 in main door 20 and placed in grating 40. The refuse is then lit in the conventional way and the grating 40 rotated by motor 34. The rotation of the grating facilitates and speeds the burning of the combustible portion of the refuse and brings about the sifting of the ashes through the openings in the side and rear walls of the grating which, though permitting the outflow of fine ashes, at the same time inhibits the outflow of fly ash into the flue 24. At the same time the tumbling of the noncombustible material, brought about by the rotation of the grating, maintains the surface of such material clear of any contaminating ashes or other debris. The fine ash sifted through the wall of the grating 10 will fall through the opening 26 at the bottom of furnace 10 into the channel 28, from which it may be removed by exhaust blower 76 to an ash reservoir, in clean state without admixture of any unburned solids. The noncombustible residue of the incineration may be removed through the open main door 20.

It may here be stated that the grating or incinerating chamber 40 may preferably be formed of heavy gauge wire screen material, preferably noncorrodible wire, as of stainless steel, and that the screen may be close-meshed, but may be varied, depending, both, on the size of the noncombustible waste material in the refuse which the apparatus of the present invention is intended to incinerate and upon the purity or the fineness of the ash residue of the combustible material that may be desired.

This completes the description of the incinerator apparatus of the present invention and the manner of its operation. lt will be readily apparent that such apparatus is highly efficient for its purposes, of each and convenient operation; for rapid incineration of mixed refuse; and for the removal of the residue of the combustible and noncombustible waste, of which such refuse is comprised. lt will also be apparent that such residues will be homogenous and clear of any contaminating mixtures and that they may be easily, conveniently and economically removed from the incinerator apparatus.

It will also be apparent that numerous variations and modifications may be made in the incinerator apparatus of the present invention, by anyone skilled in the art, in accordance with the principles of the invention hereinabove set forth and without the exercise of any inventive ingenuity.

lclaim:

1. incinerating apparatus of the character described comprising a furnace having an opening at one end and a tubular incinerating chamber formed of closely perforated material, said chamber closed at one end and open at its other end, and means supporting said chamber within said furnace for rotation therein with its longitudinal axis in substantially horizontal position and with its open end adjacent to the said one end of said furnace, said incinerating chamber including a rigid reinforcing frame for said tubular chamber comprising a plurality of annular ribs, including an annular rib adjacent to each end of said chamber and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs secured to said annular ribs.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said incinerating chamber is cylindrical.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical wall and the closed end of said incinerating chamber are formed of wire screening of relatively close mesh.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame includes a plurality of ribs normal to said axis connecting diametrically opposed ends of said longitudinal ribs to a central hub at said closed end of said chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said longitudinally extending ribs are disposed on the exterior of said cylindrical chamber and said annular ribs are disposed outwardly of said longitudinal ribs, and said diametrically arranged connecting ribs are disposed exteriorly of said closed end of said chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means supporting said incinerating chamber include a motor on the exterior of said furnace and a shaft extending through a wall of said furnace and engaging said chamber at its closed end center; said shaft operatively connected to said motor.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means supporting said incinerating chamber include a motor on the exterior of said furnace and a shaft extending through a wall of said furnace and engaging said central hub; said shaft operatively connected to said motor.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means supporting said incinerating chamber include at least one pair of longitudinally arranged, spaced rollers supported within said furnace, in position to be engaged by one of said circular ribs.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, including a plurality of pairs of longitudinal arranged, spaced rollers mounted within said furnace, each said pair of rollers disposed in position to be contacted by one of said circular ribs.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pairs of rollers is formed with upstanding flanges at its ends; said I flanges adapted to engage the edges of the roller contacting the same to inhibit longitudinal displacement of said incinerating chamber.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said pairs of rollers include a pair of rollers arranged to contact the circular rib at the closed end of said incinerating chamber and another pair of rollers arranged to contact the rib at the open end of said incinerating chamber; said flanges formed on said last named pair of rollers.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said furnace is supported in elevated relation to a supporting surface and wherein an opening is formed in the bottom of said surface and a hopper is secured to the bottom of said furnace on the exterior thereof, arranged to receive material sifted from said incinerating chamber to the bottom of said furnace.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said hopper has a downwardly sloping bottom wall.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the hopper is formed with an open end said open end connected to a housing enclosing an exhaust fan; said housing having an outlet opening for the residue exhausted from said hopper by said fan.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said furnace is of cylindrical shape, closed at one end and open at its other end, and is disposed with its longitudinal axis in substantially horizontal position, and wherein a closure is provided for said open end.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein an opening is formed in said closure opposite the open end of said incinerating chamber, and a closure is provided for said last named opening.

* IF =k 

1. Incinerating apparatus of the character described comprising a furnace having an opening at one end and a tubular incinerating chamber formed of closely perforated material, said chamber closed at one end and open at its other end, and means supporting said chamber within said furnace for rotation therein with its longitudinal axis in substantially horizontal position and with its open end adjacent to the said one end of said furnace, said incinerating chamber including a rigid reinforcing frame for said tubular chamber comprising a plurality of annular ribs, including an annular rib adjacent to each end of said chamber and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs secured to said annular ribs.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said incinerating chamber is cylindrical.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical wall and the closed end of said incinerating chamber are formed of wire screening of relatively close mesh.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame includes a plurality of ribs normal to said axis connecting diametrically opposed ends of said longitudinal ribs to a central hub at said closed end of said chamber.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said longitudinally extending ribs are disposed on the exterior of said cylindrical chamber and said annular ribs are disposed outwardly of said longitudinal ribs, and said diametrically arranged connecting ribs are disposed exteriorly of said closed end of said chamber.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means supporting said incineraTing chamber include a motor on the exterior of said furnace and a shaft extending through a wall of said furnace and engaging said chamber at its closed end center; said shaft operatively connected to said motor.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means supporting said incinerating chamber include a motor on the exterior of said furnace and a shaft extending through a wall of said furnace and engaging said central hub; said shaft operatively connected to said motor.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means supporting said incinerating chamber include at least one pair of longitudinally arranged, spaced rollers supported within said furnace, in position to be engaged by one of said circular ribs.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, including a plurality of pairs of longitudinal arranged, spaced rollers mounted within said furnace, each said pair of rollers disposed in position to be contacted by one of said circular ribs.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein one of said pairs of rollers is formed with upstanding flanges at its ends; said flanges adapted to engage the edges of the roller contacting the same to inhibit longitudinal displacement of said incinerating chamber.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said pairs of rollers include a pair of rollers arranged to contact the circular rib at the closed end of said incinerating chamber and another pair of rollers arranged to contact the rib at the open end of said incinerating chamber; said flanges formed on said last named pair of rollers.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said furnace is supported in elevated relation to a supporting surface and wherein an opening is formed in the bottom of said surface and a hopper is secured to the bottom of said furnace on the exterior thereof, arranged to receive material sifted from said incinerating chamber to the bottom of said furnace.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said hopper has a downwardly sloping bottom wall.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the hopper is formed with an open end said open end connected to a housing enclosing an exhaust fan; said housing having an outlet opening for the residue exhausted from said hopper by said fan.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said furnace is of cylindrical shape, closed at one end and open at its other end, and is disposed with its longitudinal axis in substantially horizontal position, and wherein a closure is provided for said open end.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein an opening is formed in said closure opposite the open end of said incinerating chamber, and a closure is provided for said last named opening. 